Application process

In approving a survey, the Student Surveys Ethics Committee grants the applicant permission to approach students. It does not entitle the applicant to claim that they are acting on behalf of the University.

Surveys to be conducted within a School require permission from the Head of School.

Application process

How to apply

Click here: Student Surveys Ethics Committee Application Form to apply.

Once submitted, email a pdf or word copy of your survey to student.analytics@ed.ac.uk

When to apply

As early as possible!

Below are the sequence of events and timescales:

• Note your interest in conducting a survey 6 weeks prior to your ideal launch date.
• Once you have completed the survey submission form and provided accompanying documentation, Student Analytics and Insights will send your application to the Student Surveys Ethics Committee for consideration.
• The Committee aims to respond to the Student Analytics and Insights Team within 2 working weeks
• Student Analytics and Insights will immediately let the applicant know the outcome

Surveys scheduled during registration, consolidation, examination period or survey season (NSS, PTES, PRES) will not normally be approved. 

Student Requests

The Student Surveys Ethics Committee does not review applications from students who wish to survey as part of their studies. If you wish to conduct a survey as part of your studies then please contact the relevant School.

Decision making

On receipt of the application to survey, the Student Analytics, Insights and Modelling team will forward all documentation to the members of the Surveys Ethics Committee for consideration and response.

In order for a survey to be approved, 50% of Committee members must approve the survey.

The decision by the Ethics Committee is final and will be notified to the applicant by email from the Student Analytics, Insights and Modelling team and recorded.

Criteria for approval 

Should a survey be refused, it will be for one, or more, of the following reasons:

1. Solely for commercial gain and no benefit to students
2. Unrealistic timescale
3. Not of sufficient relevance and interest to students and the University Community
4. Sensitive nature of topic requiring unavailable back up service (e.g. counselling)
5. Inappropriate wording, content or mode of operation
6. Unsound format and method
7. For the purpose of dissertation, theses or assignment research
8. Inappropriate timing due to other surveys or activities within the academic calendar